🩸 Horror Fiction

Safety in Numbers: A Horror Anthology

✍️ Matthew Shuck
Reader Score
4.5
(1 review)
$14.99
In stock — ready to ship Ships in 1–2 business days
📚 WHAT THE BOOK IS ABOUT

A collection of twenty-one psychological horror tales by Matthew Shuck.

This anthology focuses on the fragility of human perception and the fear of losing oneself. Shuck utilizes short-form storytelling to examine the boundaries between reality and delusion. The narratives often involve characters confronting versions of themselves they wish to ignore. The structure allows for varied tones within a unified theme of existential dread. Readers will encounter stories that twist familiar concepts into sources of terror. The collection avoids traditional jump scares in favor of lingering psychological discomfort. It is a compact volume that demands attention to its subtle shifts in tone and perspective.

Key Themes
out-of-body experiences dark self-reflection supernatural unease
Literary Context

Published in April 2018 by an independent publisher, this work sits within the contemporary landscape of self-published horror fiction. It reflects a trend toward niche, author-driven collections that prioritize unique voices over mainstream marketing. The book joins a growing body of digital-first literature aimed at dedicated genre fans seeking fresh perspectives on classic horror tropes.

Difficulty
●●● Challenging
Recommended For Fans Of
H.P. Lovecraft · Shirley Jackson · Algernon Blackwood
🩸
Horror Fiction
🏛 Independently Published 📅 2018 🌐 English 📔 Paperback ISBN: 9781980710806

📝 Description: Safety in Numbers: A Horror Anthology

Matthew Shuck presents Safety in Numbers, a collection of twenty-one horror tales designed to unsettle readers through psychological dread and supernatural unease. The anthology explores themes of identity fragmentation and existential terror, offering narratives that range from disorienting out-of-body experiences to encounters with darker aspects of the self. Shuck, an independent author, curates these stories to challenge perceptions of reality and safety. The book suits those who enjoy short fiction that prioritizes psychological impact over gore. It appeals to readers interested in gothic traditions and supernatural fiction where the horror stems from internal conflict or metaphysical disruption. Those seeking straightforward monster fights or historical epics may find the focus on mind-bending concepts less satisfying. The collection is organized as a series of distinct vignettes, each aiming to provoke a strong emotional response rather than provide a continuous plot. Praise for the work highlights its unexpected nature and emotional weight. One reader noted it broke their sensitive heart, while another described the experience as awesome and brilliant. These testimonials suggest the stories succeed in delivering intense, memorable moments that linger after reading. The anthology does not rely on shock value alone but rather on intricate storytelling that leaves the audience questioning their understanding of the world.

💎 Our verdict on Safety in Numbers: A Horror Anthology

“
🩸
Horror Reads editorial team
Horror desk
Matthew Shuck’s anthology excels in delivering psychological dread through twenty-one distinct vignettes rather than a continuous plot. The work succeeds by twisting familiar concepts into sources of terror, focusing on identity fragmentation and the boundaries between reality and delusion. It is best suited for readers who prefer subtle shifts in tone and perspective over monster fights or historical epics. While those seeking straightforward narratives may find it unsatisfying, fans of supernatural fiction and gothic horror will appreciate the emotional weight and unexpected nature of the stories. The collection avoids shock value, relying instead on intricate storytelling that leaves a lasting impression of existential unease and metaphysical disruption.
✓ EDITOR'S REVIEW

📖 Why choose it

📖

Why this book is worth reading

Readers seeking profound psychological unease will find value in this compact volume, which eschews traditional jump scares for lingering discomfort and existential terror. It appeals to those who enjoy short fiction that prioritizes mind-bending concepts and emotional weight over gore or straightforward action. The collection is ideal for individuals interested in gothic traditions where horror stems from internal conflict or the fragility of human perception. By confronting versions of oneself one wishes to ignore, the book offers intense, memorable moments that provoke strong emotional responses. It suits those who appreciate intricate storytelling designed to challenge perceptions of reality and safety through disorienting narratives rather than simple shock value.

⭐ Reader reviews

The starting rating comes from the team Horror Reads —

Reader rating

4.5
Based on 1 reviews
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Horror Reads editorial team

Matthew Shuck’s anthology excels in delivering psychological dread through twenty-one distinct vignettes rather than a continuous plot. The work succeeds by twisting familiar concepts into sources of terror, focusing on identity fragmentation and the boundaries between reality and delusion. It is best suited for readers who prefer subtle shifts in tone and perspective over monster fights or historical epics. While those seeking straightforward narratives may find it unsatisfying, fans of supernatural fiction and gothic horror will appreciate the emotional weight and unexpected nature of the stories. The collection avoids shock value, relying instead on intricate storytelling that leaves a lasting impression of existential unease and metaphysical disruption.

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